Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: A night of firsts and career milestones; Pats prospect de-committed from Denver

Written by Stephen Hawco on

Career Firsts

Kelowna Rockets prospect Trevor Wong scored his first WHL goal in the Rockets’ overtime win over Kamloops. The Vancouver native was Kelowna’s first round selection (18th overall) in 2018 who is a top ten talent, but fell down the draft boards as he was verbally committed to the University of Denver at the time. Wong now has one goal in four games with the Rockets as well as 31 points (10G, 21A) in 28 games with his midget team, the Greater Vancouver Canadians of the BCMML.

In the same game as Wong’s first goal, Rockets’ prospect Cole Carrier made his WHL debut. The 2017 fourth round pick has been playing this season for the Sherwood Park Kings Midget AAA where he has 24 points (13G, 11A) in 30 games this season.

Vancouver Giants defenceman Nic Draffin made his WHL debut in the Giants’ 4-2 win over Prince George. Originally drafted by Red Deer in the third round (46th overall) in 2016, he was acquired by the Giants on trade deadline day for a 2021 seventh round pick. Before debuting, he played 35 games for the AJHL’s Calgary Mustangs, scoring a goal and four assists.

Career Milestones

Edmonton Oil Kings forward Quinn Benjafield skated in his 300th WHL game, on his 21st birthday, recording an assist in an overtime win over Saskatoon. The North Vancouver native is in his first season in Edmonton, having spent parts of five seasons with the Kamloops Blazers previously. The former first round bantam pick has produced 165 points in the 300 games.

The Medicine Hat Tigers had two milestones on Saturday night, forward Ryan Chyzowski recorded his 100th WHL point, all in his 177 games with the Tigers. The 2015 first round bantam pick (18th overall) has 36 points (16G, 20A) in 47 games this season.

Tigers captain James Hamblin recorded the 100th assist of WHL career on Saturday. Hamblin is in his fourth season with the Tigers, collecting 174 points (74G, 100A) in 244 WHL games.

Pats prospect dropped by Denver

Regina Pats prospect Ty Smilanic has been dropped from the University of Denver’s commit list. The 17-year-old was committed for the 2020-21 season prior to the de-commitment. The native of Denver was the Pats’ third round pick (51st overall) in 2017 and has been playing this season with the USNTDP where he has 22 points (15G, 7A) in 34 games and 10 points (5G, 5A) in 18 USHL games.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Everett’s Connor Dewar had a monster night, scoring four goals and two assists in the Silvertips’ 7-2 win over Seattle.

2nd Star: Everett’s Jake Christiansen had a goal and three assists of his own in the Silvertips’ win.

3rd Star: Calgary captain Mark Kastelic scored twice and added a helper in a 5-1 Hitmen win over Red Deer.

Honourable Mentions

Moose Jaw’s Jett Woo had three assists in a 4-3 loss to Prince Albert….Saskatoon’s Gary Haden scored two goals in a 4-3 overtime loss to Edmonton giving him nine goals in his past four games….Lethbridge captain Jordy Bellerive had a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win over Swift Current….Medicine Hat’s Mads Sogaard recorded his second shutout of the season in a 5-0 win over Brandon….Kelowna’s Trevor Wong scored his first WHL goal in a 2-1 overtime win over Kamloops….Portland’s Cross Hanas had a goal and two assists in a 6-5 shootout win over Spokane….Vancouver’s Dylan Plouffe had a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win over Prince George….Tri-City’s Beck Warm had 33 saves in his seventh shootout win of the season in a 2-1 win over Victoria….

Troubling Moments

Kamloops Blazers defenceman Montana Onyebuchi received a five minute major and a game misconduct for a one-man fight against Kelowna. Onyebuchi has been suspended once before in his WHL career, having been suspended for one game for a charging major as a member of the Everett Silvertips.

The WHL’s leading scorer Joachim Blichfeld was given a five minute major and game misconduct for interference on Spokane’s Ty Smith. Blichfeld has been suspended once previously, having been suspended two games last season for a cross checking major.